BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE, BEET…

Ok, we have talked about 80’s kitsch yum. We have taken a trip down memory lane. It was not long before an old favorite of mine sprang to mind. Now, everyone in my age-group has watched this film at LEAST once. More likely about 10 times. I am talking about the (in my heart) immortal classic : Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice.
Now for those too young or too old to have seen the movie, here is what it is about. Behold Adam (Alec Baldwin) and Barbara (Geena Davis). Happily married couple living just outside of a small town. Unfortunately, one day a freak accident sweeps both out of this world and into the next – yes indeed, they pass away. However, passing away is not the end all and be all, it is in fact barely the beginning. To start with, they appear to be confined to their home – with limited access to their caseworker (and here’s a nugget of information for you folks – if you commit suicide you become a civil servant in the next world!). They have an instruction manual and an unhelpful attitude from their caseworker so they settle down to make the best of it and bide their time in their home (not a massive problem since they do not need to eat or drink).But, of course, life goes on. And their house is sold to a family from New York – the attitudes of whom in a word get completely and utterly on their nerves (with the exception of their daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder) who is relatively normal). For Adam and Barbara what started out like a couple of quiet nights in turns into purgatory… So they decide to do what any decent ghost must do: scare the new family away! However, being novices at this, all their attempts end in failure. So, against the warnings of their councilor, they decide to contact an expert in these matters (they see his ad in the manual you see): Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton). Now, this Beetlejuice is a rather dodgy looking character but he definitely has the powers to scare the newcomers off. Unfortunately, he also has a bit of an attitude problem. Which makes things rather interesting to say the least…
I don’t know where to begin. This is an ideal one to watch with your kids (and believe me I was tiny when I watched this. A friend of mine apparently tried to “conjure up” Beetlejuice for herself she liked it so much). Although it handles such potentially tricky subjects as death, ghosts, the afterlife and government offices (hehe) the mood is very upbeat and leaves no room for awkward questions or sadness. You will be amazed at its ingenuity. But ofcourse, it is a Tim Burton film – therefore it is painted in the colors of his imagination but that’s nothing to complain about. The actors are both brilliant and fascinating to watch (film made in 1988 guys – Winona Ryder is only ?? !). And I have to mention Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice. I know you can’t quite tell why from that synopsis, but I do, trust me. If by some freak occurrence you haven’t watched and loved this, you will become a fan by the end. Now run along and buy the DVD, trust me, you’ll watch it so many times it counts as a good investment! =)